Entity Central Index Key Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Document Type Document Type Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Entity Central Index Key Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Marketable securities Marketable Securities Current Accounts receivable Accounts Receivable Net Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current Property, plant and equipment, net Property Plant And Equipment Net Prepaid expenses, long term (note 7) Prepaid Expense Noncurrent Total assets Assets Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Current [Abstract] Accounts payable and accrued expenses (note 8) Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current Deferred revenue, less current portion Deferred Revenue Noncurrent Deferred tenant inducements Incentive From Lessor Total liabilities Liabilities Shareholders’ equity: Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Common shares, without par value; unlimited shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 14,344,267 (December 31, 2014 - 14,181,333) Common Stock Value Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Shareholders’ equity Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Commitments and contingencies (note 11) Commitments And Contingencies Common shares, Par Value (in Dollars per share) Common Stock No Par Value Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Authorized Unlimited Common shares, Issued Common Stock Shares Issued Common shares, Outstanding Common Stock Shares Outstanding Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of subscription rights using the treasury stock method. Income Statement [Abstract] Revenue: Revenues [Abstract] Collaboration revenue (note 10) Licenses Revenue Royalties Royalty Revenue Revenues Revenues Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Research and development Research And Development Expense General and administrative General And Administrative Expense Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Income (loss) from operations Operating Income Loss Other income (expense): Other Income And Expenses [Abstract] Interest income Investment Income Interest Foreign exchange gain (loss) Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax Net income (loss) Net Income Loss Net income attributable to participating securities Participating Securities Distributed And Undistributed Earnings Loss Basic Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic Net income (loss) per common share (note 5): Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share Diluted Weighted-average shares outstanding (note 5): Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Other Disclosures [Abstract] Basic Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic Effects of dilutive securities Dilutive Securities [Abstract] Stock options Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements Subscription rights Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Subscription Rights Diluted Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement Equity Components Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Preferred Stock [Member] Preferred Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Statement Class Of Stock Statement Class Of Stock [Axis] Class Of Stock Class Of Stock [Domain] Series A Preferred Stock [Member] Series A Preferred Stock [Member] Series B Preferred Stock [Member] Series B Preferred Stock [Member] Series E Preferred Stock [Member] Series E Preferred Stock [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Balance Balance (in Shares) Shares Outstanding Net income (loss) Conversion of Series A, B and E convertible preferred shares Stock Issued During Period Value Conversion Of Convertible Securities Conversion of series A, B and E convertible preferred shares (in Shares) Convertible Preferred Stock Shares Issued Upon Conversion Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs Stock Issued During Period Value New Issues Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs (in Shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares New Issues Stock option compensation expense Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Share Based Compensation Stock Options Requisite Service Period Recognition Issuance of common shares on conversion of subscription rights Stock Issued During Period Value Other Issuance of common shares on conversion of subscription rights (in Shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Other Issued pursuant to exercise of stock options Stock Issued During Period Value Stock Options Exercised Issued pursuant to exercise of stock options (in Shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised Balance Balance (in Shares) Fair value adjustment upon reclassification of stock options Embedded Derivative No Longer Bifurcated Amount Reclassified To Stockholders Equity The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the value of deferred tenant inducements. The aggregate grant-date fair value of options exercised via net exercise (cashless) during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology. Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation And Amortization Stock-based compensation Share Based Compensation Deferred tenant inducements Deferred Tenant Inducements Adjustments Unrealized foreign exchange loss Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Unrealized Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable Prepaid expenses, and other current assets Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets Prepaid expenses, long term Increase Decrease In Prepaid Expense Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Deferred revenue Increase Decrease In Deferred Revenue Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations Investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Purchase of marketable securities Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities Proceeds from marketable securities Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Marketable Securities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations Financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Deferred financing fees Payments Of Stock Issuance Costs Proceeds from issuance of common shares Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents Continuing Operations Decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Supplemental disclosures: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest received Proceeds From Interest Received Supplemental disclosures of non-cash transactions: Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract] Issuance of common shares on conversion of subscription rights Conversion Of Stock Amount Issued1 Fair value of options exercised on a cashless basis Fair Value Of Options Exercised On Cashless Basis Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract] Nature of the business Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Basis of presentation Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract] Changes in significant accounting policies New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles [Text Block] Future changes in accounting policies Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair value of financial instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] The entire disclosure for amounts paid in advance for expenses which will be charged against earnings in periods after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer. Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Long Term Prepaid Expenses Long Term Prepaid Expenses [Text Block] Payables And Accruals [Abstract] Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract] Stock option plan Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Collaboration Agreements Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Parties Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Schedule Of Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Table [Text Block] Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Stock Options Activity Table [Text Block] Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions Schedule Of Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions Table [Text Block] Schedule of revenues from collaborations. Schedule of Revenues from Collaborations Schedule Of Revenues From Collaborations Table [Text Block] Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of income per common share Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Long term prepaid expenses. Long term prepaid expenses. Long Term Prepaid Expenses [Table] Long Term Prepaid Expenses [Table] Long Term Purchase Commitment By Category Of Item Purchased Long Term Purchase Commitment By Category Of Item Purchased [Axis] Long Term Purchase Commitment Category Of Item Purchased Long Term Purchase Commitment Category Of Item Purchased [Domain] Medpace Clinical Development Service Agreement [Member] Research And Development Arrangement [Member] Long Term Prepaid Expenses [Line Items] Long Term Prepaid Expenses [Line Items] Initial payment for service agreement Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date for consulting and contracted research due within one year. Trade payables Accounts Payable Trade Current Employee compensation, benefits, and related accruals Employee Related Liabilities Current Consulting and contracted research Consulting And Contracted Research Professional fees Accrued Professional Fees Current Other Other Accrued Liabilities Current Total Outstanding, beginning of period Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number Granted Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Gross Exercised Forfeited and expired Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures And Expirations In Period Outstanding, end of period Exercisable, end of period Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Number Number of share options (or share units) exercised for number of common shares for cash during the period. Number of common stock issued in exchange for share options (or share units) exercised via net exercise (cashless) method during the current period. Number of share options (or share units) exercised via net exercise (cashless) method during the current period. Stock Options exercised for Number of Common Shares for cash Stock Options Exercised For Number Of Common Shares For Cash Common stock issued for cashless exercise Common Stock Issued For Cashless Exercise Cashless exercise of stock options Cashless Exercise Of Stock Options The estimated forfeiture rate assumption that is used in the valuation of share-based compensation arrangement. Fair value assumptions for stock options. Fair Value Assumptions For Stock Options [Abstract] Average risk-free interest rate Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Average expected term (in years) Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term1 Expected volatility Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate Expected dividend yield Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Rate Expected forfeiture rate Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Estimated Forfeiture Rate Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Revenue Recognized From Collaborations [Abstract] Deferred Revenue Arrangement. Collaboration revenue arrangement by type. Collaboration Revenue Arrangement By Type [Table] Collaboration Revenue Arrangement By Type [Table] Counterparty Name Counterparty Name [Axis] Repurchase Agreement Counterparty Name Repurchase Agreement Counterparty Name [Domain] UniQure Biopharma B.V. UniQure [Member] Uni Qure Biopharma B V [Member] Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Teva [Member] Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd [Member] Genentech. Genentech [Member] Genentech [Member] Research And Development Arrangement Contract To Perform For Others By Type Research And Development Arrangement Contract To Perform For Others By Type [Axis] Research And Development Arrangement Contract To Perform For Others Type Research And Development Arrangement Contract To Perform For Others Type [Domain] Revenue recognized during the period from recognition of upfront payments. Recognition of Upfront Payment [Member] Recognition Of Upfront Payment [Member] Revenue recognized during the period from research funding. Research Funding [Member] Research Funding [Member] Revenue recognized during the period from milestone payments. Milestone Payment [Member] Milestone Payment [Member] Type Of Arrangement Type Of Arrangement [Axis] Arrangements And Nonarrangement Transactions Member Arrangements And Nonarrangement Transactions [Member] Collaborative Arrangement [Member] Collaborative Arrangement [Member] Collaboration Revenue [Line Items] Collaboration Revenue [Line Items] Collaboration revenue Collaboration revenue Research And Development Arrangement Contract To Perform For Others Compensation Earned Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Table] Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Table]